As summer heats up, so can stress levels for moms
Trips to the playground and swimming pool, playdates with friends, story time at the library and arts and crafts at the kitchen table. Summer break may mean freedom and fun for kids, but it can summon extra stress for their caregivers, especially women who try to balance work and household tasks year-round and then add on childcare logistics while school is out of session.
Someone has to organize schedules, keep snacks on hand, ferry children around town and mediate inevitable sibling squabbles. Often, moms try to keep their cool despite the additional responsibilities during summer.
It’s important for moms not to ignore their own health while taking care of others, especially since stress can impact physical and mental well-being. Yet, during trying times, women may be less likely to prioritize their own mental and physical health.
Men and women experience some of the same effects of stress, such as trouble sleeping and weaker immune systems. But research suggests that women may feel other effects of stress differently than men. In addition, a 2023 survey from the American Psychological Association showed that women report a higher average level of stress than men. Women also are more likely than men to report family responsibilities as a significant source of stress.
Stress in women is associated with:
- Heart problems. High stress levels can raise blood pressure and heart rate, leading to serious medical problems, such as stroke and heart attack. The negative effects of stress may be greater for women younger than age 50 with a history of heart problems.
- Headaches and migraines. Tension-type headaches are common in women and can be associated with other body aches and pains.
- Stomach conditions. Short-term stress can cause diarrhea or vomiting. Long-term stress can cause irritable bowel syndrome, a condition twice as common in women than in men. Stress can worsen gas and bloating.
- Obesity. Women are more at risk for stress-related weight gain than men.
- Difficulties getting pregnant. Higher stress levels increase the likelihood of having problems getting pregnant. Not being able to get pregnant is also a source of stress.
- Menstrual cycle issues. Chronic or long-term stress may lead to more severe premenstrual syndrome or irregular periods.
Helpful Tips
While we can’t help with piles of summer laundry or carpool to get kids to and from day camp, we do have some tips on managing stress. Healthy daily habits can improve how the body manages stress. Some of these include:
- Exercise. Regular physical activity improves mood, energy and sleep quality.
- Eat well. Avoid too much caffeine, sugar, sodium and fatty foods. Opt for nutritious, well-balanced meals.
- Recharge. Step away from to-do lists and turn off the news. Pursue healthy hobbies and prioritize your health.
- Connect. Seek support from family, friends and social groups.
- Sleep better. Aim for seven to nine hours of quality sleep a day.
- Meditate. Meditation may help lower stress. It also may help improve anxiety and lower blood pressure.